JP Universal Sleeve Hitch on X500?

mbrun · Mar 26, 2011

Has anyone installed the Johnny Products Universal Sleeve Hitch on their X500 or X500-series tractor? If so, would you recommend it? Does it seem well built enough to last for many years of abuse? http://www.johnnyproducts.com/J_Bucket_HTMs/UNI_Sleeve_Hitch.htm

Anybody found a commercial alternative to the JP product, besides the Hayes Enterprises unit which is no longer being made?

Thanks

Hoosier Daddy · Mar 26, 2011

I got the John Deere Manual Intregal Hitch....here it is with my rear blade. It comes on/off quick and easy and seems very rugged.

Sergeant · Mar 26, 2011

Hoosier Daddy's manual lift integral hitch would be pretty easy to modify to a electric lift sleeve hitch. There are several owners of the Johnny Products sleeve hitch on this forum who seem pretty happy with it:thThumbsU

POENY · Mar 26, 2011

I recall a thread a month or two ago about the manual vs. power JD sleeve hitches for the current X500 series. I recall the manual seemed to be favored for a few reasons (price, feathering the blade, easy on/off, ...). I would do a little searching to see what you can find although more may be for JD than JB.

Good luck!:fing32:

mbrun · Mar 27, 2011

Having used a manual sleeve hitch on my prior tractor I am leaning towards some form of sleeve hitch that affords downforce capability, as well as one that affords the ability to raise and hold to remove downforce (including weight of the implement). Since I opt'd out of hydraulics on the new tractor, seems like electric actuator is my only option.

From the looks of it, the JP Universal Sleeve Hitch looks like it too is easily removable. But one of the things that has be concerned is the fact that there is no supplied means of anchoring the hitch frame on the left and right of sides of the hitch right where the sideward twist forces of the hitch will be highest.

If there as an easy actuator upgrade of either the JD manual or hydraulic version I would certainly consider them.

I was intrigued by the Hayes Enterprises unit, but was told they were not profitable to make so they are no longer available. Bummer.

rfowler · Mar 27, 2011

mbrun said:
Has anyone installed the Johnny Products Universal Sleeve Hitch on their X500 or X500-series tractor? If so, would you recommend it? Does it seem well built enough to last for many years of abuse? http://www.johnnyproducts.com/J_Bucket_HTMs/UNI_Sleeve_Hitch.htm

Anybody found a commercial alternative to the JP product, besides the Hayes Enterprises unit which is no longer being made?

Thanks

I do not have the JB sleeve hitch but I do have a JBjr bucket and JBjr plow and the quality is great as is Johns customer service. I would not expect anything less from his sleeve hitch or any other product with his company name on it. Just my humble opinion.

61woody · Mar 27, 2011

I have the JB sleeve hitch and love it. No pics if it mounted though. Used it with scraper and rear blade, worked nice making the yard level.

kastagire · Mar 28, 2011

rfowler said:
I do not have the JB sleeve hitch but I do have a JBjr bucket and JBjr plow and the quality is great as is Johns customer service. I would not expect anything less from his sleeve hitch or any other product with his company name on it. Just my humble opinion.

Yea, if the quality of the Johnny Bucket is any indication of the quality of the hitch, the thing will be over engineered and ready for abuse..... Johnny Products stuff is very well made and definitely lives up to the hype it gets....

mbrun · Mar 29, 2011

61woody said:
I have the JB sleeve hitch and love it. No pics if it mounted though. Used it with scraper and rear blade, worked nice making the yard level.

61woody, Any chance of getting you to upload some pictures of the hitch mounted on your tractor?

PA318Guy · Mar 29, 2011

The hitch in your link is definitely overbuilt! Nothing wrong with that though!

61woody · Mar 29, 2011

mbrun said:
61woody, Any chance of getting you to upload some pictures of the hitch mounted on your tractor?

I'll try to get some on in the next day or so.

ryanpf · Mar 29, 2011

I know this isn't the x500 series your trying to install on, but here's my experience with the Johnny Products sleeve hitch install. You're correct, all the side torque is taken by the upper mounting arms. The lower mount just pivots around the hitch hole mounting point. That said, the frame is very robust and I've had no problems with it.

http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=117268

If you look closely at the lower end of the actuator mount point, there are two locations for the pin. I have it in the "downpressure" position in the pics, but the slot just in front of there is where I usually operate it. Allows the implements to seek their own level.

If nothing else, at least you now have a few more pictures of the JPSH to reference.

HTH,
Paul

Marcintosh · Mar 29, 2011

Just a thought- wouldn't it be possible to replace the lift link (or what ever it's called) on a stock JD Sleeve Hitch with an actuator?
Seems like a reasonable thought -
*said the man trying to get the time and money to fab one up*

61woody · Mar 29, 2011

mbrun said:
61woody, Any chance of getting you to upload some pictures of the hitch mounted on your tractor?

Ignore the dirt and amature photography

mbrun · Mar 29, 2011

Marcintosh said:
Just a thought- wouldn't it be possible to replace the lift link (or what ever it's called) on a stock JD Sleeve Hitch with an actuator?
Seems like a reasonable thought -
*said the man trying to get the time and money to fab one up*

Perhaps. Before I made my final decision I wanted to explore just that option. While I am mechanically inclined I do not own welding equipment nor do I have ready access to metals other then that which is available at the major big box stores. If I can find good mechanical drawings of the JD hitch and if it appears I can make the adapters without needing to weld it will be considered. If you know of anyone that had pictures of a success story in this arena I would love to see them.

Regards

mbrun · Mar 29, 2011

61woody said:
Ignore the dirt and amature photography

Thanks so much 61woody.

I was interpretting the JP sizes correctly. The support arms do need to be shimmed out from the hitch frame inorder to secure it.

I have few questions then for you.

1) Is the hitch rock solid (left to right) under load or does it have a tendency to want to pivot on the bottom bolt that attaches it to the tractor?

2) I see from the scuff markes you have used the replacement trailer hitch integrated into the sleeve hitch. Any problems with using that? On my previous tractor the hitch was inset a bit and if I turned sharply the trailer tow arm would come in contact with the tires. That would not have happened if the hitch were extended another inch or two.

3) The suitcase weights look like they hit the tires. I assume they do clear though, correct?

4) Do you leave the main frame installed and just remove the actuator and yoke in order to access the standard receiver I see tucked behind the actuator?

Again, thanks. The photos are very helpful.

mbrun · Mar 30, 2011

ryanpf said:
I know this isn't the x500 series your trying to install on, but here's my experience with the Johnny Products sleeve hitch install. You're correct, all the side torque is taken by the upper mounting arms. The lower mount just pivots around the hitch hole mounting point. That said, the frame is very robust and I've had no problems with it.

http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=117268

If you look closely at the lower end of the actuator mount point, there are two locations for the pin. I have it in the "downpressure" position in the pics, but the slot just in front of there is where I usually operate it. Allows the implements to seek their own level.

If nothing else, at least you now have a few more pictures of the JPSH to reference.

HTH,
Paul

I checked out the link. It was helpful to see how it went together. When I make my decision, I think I will document it and post it too.

A picture is worth a thousand words...and more.

Regards

Marcintosh · Mar 30, 2011

workin on it.

Marcintosh · Mar 30, 2011

Try this on for size 8-D
http://www.mytractorforum.com/archive/index.php/t-152011.html

Marcintosh · Mar 30, 2011

slow agin

JP Universal Sleeve Hitch on X500?

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